NHL Morning Rumor Mill (Part One) – February 25, 2014.

Latest on Martin St. Louis and Jaromir Jagr plus updates on the Flyers, Stars, Capitals and Bruins.

Will Martin St. Louis address the recent trade rumors linking him to the Rangers?

TSN.CA: Bob McKenzie weighed in on yesterday’s “Martin St. Louis-for-Ryan Callahan” rumor, questioning if it is recent news or if the story is now outdated. He suggests Lightning GM Steve Yzerman and/or St. Louis should address this quickly. There’s reason to believe St. Louis, in the aftermath of his initial exclusion from Team Canada, may have informed Yzerman he may look favorably on a trade, but McKenzie cautions not to get hung up on semantics. “Was it a trade demand? A trade request? A conversation? Was it St. Louis speaking directly to Yzerman or was it some form of communication between St. Louis’s agent Lewis Gross and the organization?” There was unconfirmed speculation St. Louis would only waive his NMC for the New York Rangers, as his off-season home is in Connecticut. McKenzie doubts Yzerman would trade away St. Louis with the club poised to clinch a playoff berth, let alone move him for a player on an expiring contract, while the Rangers aren’t willing to part with young assets for the 38-year-old St. Louis.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Damien Cristodero also reports on the St. Louis-for-Callahan rumor. He acknowledged St. Louis’ initial exclusion from Team Canada put a strain on his relationship with Yzerman, and doesn’t doubt rival clubs may have called to inquire about St. Louis’ availability. Cristodero doesn’t expect St. Louis will be dealt, suggesting it would be a PR nightmare for the Lightning.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Here’s my take. St. Louis was pissed off over being initially passed over for Team Canada. He spoke with Yzerman about it. Maybe there was some talk about his future with the Lightning and how Yzerman saw his role with the club. Rangers GM Glen Sather decided to call Yzerman to see if St. Louis was available and offered Callahan straight up. Yzerman refused. St. Louis subsequently gets picked for Team Canada and there’s no other discussion on the matter. Granted, it remains to be seen if there’s more to this story, but if there is, I doubt it plays out during this season. If, and that’s a big “if”, St. Louis wants out, it happens in the off-season, not now. Hopefully Yzerman and/or St. Louis will address this and put it to rest once and for all. Otherwise, it’ll linger over the rest of the season and into the summer.

SPORTSNET: Sources say Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray continues to pursue offers for goaltender Ryan Miller with the intent of moving him by the March 5 trade deadline. Matt Moulson, Steve Ott and Henrik Tallinder are, like Miller, eligible for UFA status this summer and could also be shopped.

CSNPHILLY.COM/PHILLY.COM: Tim Panaccio believes the Flyers need an impact defenseman if they’re to qualify for the playoffs. He suggests NY Islanders blueliner Andrew MacDonald could be “a very nice upgrade for any team at a steal of a price.” Other possibilities could include “Winnipeg’s swingman Dustin Byfuglien, Dallas’ Trevor Daley, Edmonton’s Nick Schultz and Calgary’s Dennis Wideman.” Frank Seravalli reports Holmgren doesn’t foresee anything major happening for his club leading up to the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: While Holmgren usually doesn’t make any moves at the trade deadline one can’t fully dismiss the possibility. Still, it remains to be seen if there’s a deal to be had to help his club. I don’t see the Jets shopping Byfuglien now, while the Stars could also hang onto Daley for the stretch run. Schultz is available but Wideman still has term on his contract (at $5.25 million per season) and carries a no-movement clause. MacDonald might be a good addition but the Isles will try to stoke a bidding war for him.

NORTHJERSEY.COM: Tom Gulitti reports New Jersey Devils winger Jaromir Jagr isn’t concerned about the trade deadline as his goal is to help the Devils make the playoffs. He also hasn’t thought about re-signing with the Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My guess is the Devils prefer to retain Jagr as they still hope to clinch a playoff spot.

CSNWASHINGTON: Chuck Gormley reports Capitals GM George McPhee will see if Martin Erat still wants to be traded. If so he’ll attempt to honor his request.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I doubt there’s interest in a fading winger with a cap hit of $4.5 million and one year remaining on his contract.

BOSTON HERALD: Stephen Harris recently suggested Bruins goalie prospect Malcolm Subban could be a very valuable chip in a possible trade, especially if he could land a player which helps the Bruins win the Stanley Cup this season.

18 Comments

Shticky
on February 25, 2014 at 1:28 pm

Subban maybe a second or third for McDonald could make sense to the Bruins and the Islanders.

Haus
on February 25, 2014 at 1:38 pm

That looks like a good deal for both sides. I could definitely see that happening with the emergence of Svedberg, along with the kid at North Dakota turning pro soon.

Peterman
on February 25, 2014 at 5:15 pm

you can bet COL and PHI are in on MacDonald too. Heck, just about any team would be crazy not to at least give Garth a call. I’m thinking a pick and prospect isn’t enough. I also think MacDonald’s willingness to sign an extension before free agency will be a big factor. The more agreeable he is to that, the higher the price tag.

Shticky
on February 25, 2014 at 7:40 pm

If he is a ufa he is not worth more than a pick and a very good prospect, I have seen alot of Subban he is close to a cant miss goal tending prospect, for sure one of the best 2 or 3 goalies Ive seen in the OHL in a long time, and looks like thats continuing in the American league.

Shticky
on February 25, 2014 at 1:33 pm

Erat is a dump cant see McPhee getting rid of him without holding salary and including something of value and getting very little in return. Erat and half his salary and Neuverth for a 3rd round pick kinda thing to the Flames.

Kurt
on February 25, 2014 at 2:31 pm

Erat may be a good fit in Jersey alongside Jagr. NJ is looking for a left wing and other than his salary the cost to acquire him would be cheap. If he can find chemistry with Jagr or Brunner it might help in their playoff push.

Ace Newton
on February 26, 2014 at 7:24 am

I like that, Erat to NJ. If NY can take salary, he shouldn’t cost much.
I also like the swap of Erat and Booth. Salary is awash and both have a year remaining, so will likely get bought out anyways.

Mick
on February 25, 2014 at 2:17 pm

Martin St. Louis should just get over it. I wouldn’t want such a whiner on the team anyway. No thanks.

I say that IF (because i still think he will not be dealt) Callahan gets moved, it will be to either Colorado or Vancouver.

Bosky
on February 25, 2014 at 3:53 pm

Remains to be seen, remains to be seen, remains to be seen. Not sure why but this phrase annoys me when used as

BCLeafFan
on February 25, 2014 at 3:54 pm

The St. Louis thing, and Steve Yzerman’s super-quick resignation from his Olympic Executive Director position, should mean that no NHL GM will take that position in the future. The ideal move would be to appoint someone like Wayne Gretzky again, provided he has no NHL ties at the time. Probably all a moot point as NHL owners seem determined to step away from the Games. Too bad, some superb hockey, but, for once, it’s hard to blame them.

Bosky
on February 25, 2014 at 3:54 pm

Remains to be seen, remains to be seen, remains to be seen. Not sure why but this phrase annoys me, when it’s used as often as it is on this site. However I’m no journalist so don’t read too far into it.

Jason W
on February 25, 2014 at 7:36 pm

I guess St.Louis is a cry baby then

DaBroons
on February 25, 2014 at 8:53 pm

The Broons would be foolish to trade Subban for a rental player. He’s a legit top shelf prospect.

Shticky
on February 25, 2014 at 9:23 pm

I agree he is. Just saying he could easily address a need if they decide to go that route.

Shawn Smith
on February 25, 2014 at 9:16 pm

I would not be surprised to see the Bruins try to use Subban as part of a trade to land Shea Weber.

Dave
on February 26, 2014 at 3:22 am

Seems like a stretch but would love him on defense.
Boychuk would have to go for that to work cap wise.

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